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If you’ve read this blog for more than, like 5 minutes, you’ll know that I absolutely love memes. They’re a hilarious way to capture those random moments in life and time. I’m a big believer in laughter and while the life of a Heart Parent isn’t an easy one, I think it’s good for us to find the humor when we can. I’m not at all making light of our situation, but I do find that whenever I see something online that resonates deeply with me as a Heart Dad, that I tend to find it even more uplifting. So Heart Parents, I see you…you’re doing a great job. This is for you: the life of a Heart Parent…as Told by memes…

Hospital Life

The STRUGGLE of trying to get remotely comfy on those skin-eating vinyl monstrosities! And, of course, when your kid finally falls asleep, you decide you can finally shift just an inch and then the chair/couch in the room releases one of those vinyl fart noises that could wake up a bear.

I’ve actually gotten pretty good at silencing those machines. But it never fails that once you and your heart kid settle down, the machine is like, “Let me play you the song of my people!”

Maybe I’m not too sharp, but there were lots of times I’ve listened in on physician rounds and thought, “Was that even English?”

BRUH. Don’t even get me started.

When You Finally Get Home

When you finally bring your Heart Baby home from the hospital and everyone and all their homies wanna come to your house, but you’re not having it, because infections are real and scary.

When the Pharmacy (once again) Doesn’t Have the Meds Right

How many times do I have to repeat myself?!

When the Bills Start Arriving

It is insaaaaaane how much healthcare costs!

Appointments…Appointments Everywhere

To be honest, they’re all pretty nerve-wracking.

And Then the Cardiology Appointment Goes Well!

“See you in 6 months” never sounded so beautiful.

And You Just Keep Going

Sleep?! What is that?

Flu Season is Hermit Season

Sometimes it Feels Like People Just Don’t Get It

In the End, This is What It’s All About

We love our kiddos! They’ve been through so much and they do it with such bravery: whenever they accomplish anything, it’s a huge moment to celebrate and tackle them with all the hugs!

Hey Heart Moms! I’m going to make this post brief, just in case you’re reading this from your phone while you’re hiding from your kids in the bathroom.

I kid, I kid.

Seriously, though, I wanted to take a moment on this blog to wish a very happy Mother’s Day to all the Heart Moms out there! You were handed a life you could have never planned for, not in a million years. While other moms-to-be were having elaborate gender-reveal parties, you’d lay awake at night trying to get that ultrasound image out of your head. While other new moms were figuring out how to install a snap-and-go car seat, you were doing your first 2-minute hand wash prior to your first NICU visit. While new moms came home to a beautifully done baby nursery, you did your best to make a Ronald McDonald House feel like home.

Yet you’re still here…still fighting. With every step down the CVICU hallway, hearing the familiar beeps and dings, you’d get stronger and stronger. Now you’ve got purpose, something to fight for…someone to fight for. You’ve learned to surf when the waves come. You’ve helped keep the germs at bay and taught a growing girl or boy that a big scar down their chest doesn’t make them super strange, it makes them a super hero. You carried our heart kids all while bearing the weight of the stress and the fear…the way I see it, you passed on your toughness to them.

Thank you for everything you do. There will be days when you’re knocked down…don’t ever stop getting back up again. There isn’t much else in this world tougher than a Heart Mom! So look back on all those things you’ve been through and give yourself a little bit of grace and tell yourself that you did good. Rest in that for a little while. Don’t let anyone tell you how you should do you. Maybe there’s other moms out there who looked like they just walked out of Pinterest, but can they say “pleural effusions” five times fast? I rest my case.

I hope all the moms out there have an amazing Mother’s Day!

And last, but certainly not least I wanted to give a very special shout-out to my wife Rebekah. You are an amazing mom! I remember before we had any kids we jokingly asked each other “Who in the world has three kids?!” And now look! You juggle so much and do it all with grace and kindness: the very same kindness that you instill in our kids every day. They’re going to grow up to be amazing young men because they had you as a mom. Love you ❤

It’s Mother’s Day! I wanted to spend a moment today and send a special shout-out to the Heart Moms out there. You’re our partners in this heart battle, you brought our little heroes into this world. You’ve worried more than you ever have before, but you’ve also loved more than you ever thought you were capable of loving. You’re the ones our kiddos want when they skin their knee, and you’re the one who wipes away the tears and assures them everything is ok. I think it’s safe to say that – on behalf of all Heart Dads – we really can’t do this without your amazing help, and we’re fortune to be along on for the ride.

I started this blog because everything I saw out there was Moms communicating with each other but the Dads were rather quiet. But I want to thank you Heart Moms for connecting with each other…I really believe that each day you positively impact someone’s life, whether it’s in your community or across the country. By sharing your journey you let other Heart Moms know they’re not alone. Keep it up, you’re going strong, and you serve as such a great example for us Dads.

So to all the Heart Moms out there I wish you an extra special Mother’s Day…let yourself be spoiled and pampered. After all, raising a hero is hard work!

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And to my wife: the peanut butter to my jelly, the artsy to my fartsy…I am can’t express enough how I am amazed by you. You corral 3 crazy kiddos in the morning and cart them off to schools and appointments. You keep track of the therapies and the check-ups, the dinners and the groceries…you’re amazing! Our kids are so blessed to have an amazing mommy…and I’m so lucky to have you as my wife. Me, Hudson, Nolan, and Grant all love you more and more everyday!